variants or meagre

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective meager differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of meager are scanty, scant, skimpy, spare, and sparse. While all these words mean "falling short of what is normal, necessary, or desirable," meager implies the absence of elements, qualities, or numbers necessary to a thing's richness, substance, or potency.

a meager portion of meat

When is scant a more appropriate choice than meager?

The synonyms scant and meager are sometimes interchangeable, but scant suggests a falling short of what is desired or desirable rather than of what is essential.

in January the daylight hours are scant

When would scanty be a good substitute for meager?

The words scanty and meager can be used in similar contexts, but scanty stresses insufficiency in amount, quantity, or extent.

supplies too scanty to last the winter

When can skimpy be used instead of meager?

While in some cases nearly identical to meager, skimpy usually suggests niggardliness or penury as the cause of the deficiency.

tacky housing developments on skimpy lots

When might spare be a better fit than meager?

The meanings of spare and meager largely overlap; however, spare may suggest a slight falling short of adequacy or merely an absence of superfluity.

a spare, concise style of writing

In what contexts can sparse take the place of meager?

The words sparse and meager are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, sparse implies a thin scattering of units.

a sparse population

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of meager Greensboro shot a meager 13% from the field, the worst rate by any USC opponent this season, while its 25 points were the second fewest in a women’s NCAA tournament game, just four from the record. Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 22 Mar. 2025 This spring, Peraza has struggled posting a meager .194 batting average. Dan Perry, Newsweek, 18 Mar. 2025 The University of Kinshasa, supported during the Cold War with American financial assistance as the largest center of higher learning in Africa, still has over 29,000 students, but meager resources to support young Congolese who aspire for the same hopes and dreams as us all. Saleem H. Ali, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025 Sure, prescribing poetry in the face of societal turbulence can seem a meager or even an escapist response. Alissa Quart, TIME, 13 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for meager
Recent Examples of Synonyms for meager
Adjective
  • McKinstry was hitting below .200, playing time was sparse and the Tigers were bringing up young players from the minors.
    Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025
  • In the nutrient-poor soils of subalpine elevations, where rainfall is often sparse, this species thrives by conserving energy.
    Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 27 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The area normally can expect 38.4 inches, according to the National Weather Service. Chicago was warmer than average during the 2023-24 season, which meant snow was scarce.
    Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 21 Apr. 2025
  • This gap is particularly pronounced in countries without a long-standing tradition of immigration, such as Austria and Germany, where clinical studies on menopause among migrant populations remain scarce.
    Ximena Araya-Fischel, Forbes.com, 19 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Consumer spending softened, increasing 1.8%, down from a 4% rise in the fourth quarter, but a decent performance in light of stock market turmoil and poor weather early in the quarter.
    Paul Davidson, USA Today, 1 May 2025
  • In addition, preliminary research from the National Bureau of Economic Research estimates that poor mental health may cost the U.S. economy nearly $300 billion annually.
    Dilan Gomih, Forbes.com, 30 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Meager.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/meager. Accessed 5 May. 2025.

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